Erling Haaland has been left out of Manchester City’s squad for the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley.
City will be looking to bounce back from their Champions League defeat to Real Madrid in midweek, with the defending champions going out on penalties despite dominating the second leg that evening.
They have the chance to progress to the FA Cup final as they look to salvage a double from their season, but will have to do so without their key man, who has scored 31 goals so far this season.
Haaland was one of the players to be withdrawn due to injury against Madrid and was taken off the field after 90 minutes, with Julian Alvarez replacing him for the final 30 minutes plus penalties.
“They asked me to go out,” Guardiola said of Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Manuel Akanki. “They couldn’t go any further.”
Erling Haaland has been left out of Manchester City’s squad for the FA Cup match against Chelsea
Haaland had asked to be substituted in the Champions League defeat to Real Madrid with a muscle problem
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Akanji and De Bruyne have started the match for City recovering from their problems, but the same could not be said for Haaland, who could expect an extended spell on the sidelines.
“He is injured,” Guardiola said of his striker before the match. “I don’t think it’s much, but he can’t play today.”
When asked if he would be fit enough to play against Brighton in midweek, he replied: “I don’t know.”
Haaland missed a number of weeks for City earlier this season and returned in January after a foot injury forced him to miss the Christmas period, including the Club World Cup.
Now he is struggling with a muscle injury and will have to watch his side try to reach another Wembley final from the stands in the capital.
However, Kevin De Bruye, who also left the field injured, was fit enough to determine the match at Wembley
Elsewhere at City, John Stones returned to defense, with both Phil Foden and Jack Grealish retaining their places after the defeat in Madrid.
For Chelsea, Enzo Fernandez returned from the win over Everton earlier this week, with Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer all starting after their penalty row on Monday.
